FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do Principal Investigators (PIs) need to have a PhD degree to apply to an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG) call for proposals?

A:

The ERC Synergy Grant (SyG) funding scheme imposes very little eligibility constraints on applicants. A PhD degree is not formally required. However, please be aware that this is an extremely competitive call.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: For an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG), should the core of the research be organised in the corresponding Host Institution?

A:

There are no specific constraints in this respect. The corresponding Host Institution is the one hosting the corresponding Principal Investigator (PI). As this PI is the 'leader' or 'primus inter pares' for the project, it is expected that a significant portion of the research is carried out there.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: For an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG) call for proposals, should all Host Institutions involved submit a support letter?

A:

No, only a support letter from the corresponding Host Institution is required, i.e. from the institution hosting the corresponding Principal Investigator (PI).
Please, see the Information for Applicants to the Synergy Grant 2018 Call for more details.

Q: Which panel should be chosen when applying to an ERC Synergy Grant call (ERC-2018-SyG)?

A:

Applications to a Synergy Grant (SyG) call should indicate only keywords and not panels (cf. ERC Work Programme 2018).

Q: Are there Co-investigators in ERC Synergy (ERC-2018-SyG) proposals?

A:

No, the concept of Co-investigator does not exist in the context of a SyG. All Principal Investigators (PIs) have equal status, although there is a Corresponding Principal Investigator (cPI) designated to be the administrative contact with the ERCEA.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: Can a Principal Investigator (PI) applying to an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG) have a team working with them?

A:

Yes, for ERC SyG, each PI can work with a team and/or collaborators who are either in their own institution or in different organisations.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: Do all of the Principal Investigators (PIs) applying to an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG) need to be affiliated to a Host Institution?

A:

Yes, any Principal Investigator (PI) involved in a Synergy Grant (SyG) proposal must be affiliated to a Host Institution established in one of the EU Member States or H2020 Associated Countries for at least the full duration of the project. The Principal Investigators (PIs) must also spend 50% of their time in Europe.
Institutions outside Europe may be involved, and may even receive funding provided that their participation is deemed essential for carrying out the action, but only as additional partners under the heading of one of the European based PIs. In addition, their presence must be well justified in the proposal.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: How many Principal Investigators (PIs) can apply to an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG)?

A:

For an ERC SyG, minimum two and maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) can apply.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.

Q: What are the required profiles of researchers to apply to an ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-2018-SyG) call?

A:

Any profile as long as the Principal Investigators (PIs) applying to the ERC-2018-SYG call have competitive track records appropriate to their career stage. PIs must then present, as part of the proposal, either an early achievement track-record or a 10-year track-record, whichever is most appropriate for their career stage (cf. Starting, Consolidator, Advanced Grant profiles in the ERC Work Programme 2018).

No, there are no specific constraints on the type of configuration. Being located in two different countries will not affect the chance of success. For SyG the PIs have to demonstrate convincingly that there will be significant synergies and sufficient time spent together in close collaboration.
More information about the ERC-2018-SYG Grant Call is available in the ERC Work Programme 2018.